JACKSONVILLE – Let's get to it …

Nick from Annapolis, MD

Was that the best game of Trevor Lawrence's career? I'll allow this in the conversation.

This is a good place to start this Monday O-Zone, a day after the AFC South-leading Jaguars' stunningly convincing 34-20 victory over the AFC West-leading Denver Broncos at Empower Field at Mile High in Denver, Colo. There were multiple postgame storylines involving respect and playoff positioning, but from this view no storyline trumps the play of Jaguars quarterback Trevor Lawrence in this one. Lawrence played exceptionally well against an exceptional defense with an exceptional pass rush, and he played this way on series after critical series in the most hostile of NFL environments. Lawrence completed 23 of 36 passes for 279 yards and 3 touchdowns while rushing for a fourth touchdown. The Jaguars scored on 6 of 7 possessions in one stretch from the second to fourth quarters to take control of the game. I'm not sure what else he could have done to help this team win or how much better he could have played in a big situation. With apologies to his 6-touchdown performance in a victory over the New York Jets the previous week … yes, Sunday from this view was the best game of his five-season career. I'm not sure it's that close. More notably, he has played exceptionally well for the last month with 12 touchdowns passing, 2 touchdowns rushing and no interceptions in that span. I don't see any reason this team can't go deep in the postseason with him at quarterback. The significant part of this conversation is this in no way a fluke. These aren't one-offs. This is Lawrence now. He's good. And that makes a whole lot possible moving forward.

JT from Palm Coast, FL

"It's just the Jags." I have heard that phrase from everyone that doesn't know this team or city like we do. Why not the Jags, John? I watch a lot of football and I don't see any "elite" team this year. "Nobody cares about the Jags" goes a long way when it reaches the ears of the players. I was excited to watch this game. It's a late-season, measuring-stick kind of game. Hope you enjoyed it live, sir! The Jacksonville Jaguars still have a chance at the best record in the AFC, but more importantly, the Super Bowl!!!

The Jaguars are as good as any team in the AFC, and they may be as good as any team in the NFL right now. They just beat the No. 1 team in the AFC on the road. In December. With a lot on the line. They are legitimate Super Bowl contenders.

Andy from Alpharetta, GA

Wow. I don't really know what to say except this team is really good. And fun to watch. And impressive. And playing as a team.

Yes, they are. Yes, they are. Yes, they are. Yes, they are.

Jeremy from Wise, VA

Statement win! Still won't get respect.

Respect remains the Topic du Jour around these Jaguars and Head Coach Liam Coen ensured this by saying – rather hilariously – in his postgame comments the following: "[I'm] just thankful that a small-market team like us can come into a place like Mile High and get it done." I realize as I write this I have nothing to add to that. Well done, Coach. Never stop being you.

Bob from Weaverville, NC

That's quite a convincing win. If we can beat the Broncos in that environment, there is no reason we cant beat any team in the NFL. We aren't S.B.O.B, but the S.B. is definitely in the cards with this team. #AllIn #Duvaaalll!

Yup.

Al from Dowling Park, FL

Did the Jagwads do it again?

This reference's former Denver Post Columnist Woody Paige's infamous "Jagwads" column on the day of the Jaguars' upset victory over the Denver Broncos in an AFC Divisional Playoff game following the 1996 season. There was to my knowledge no Jagwads mention Sunday, though Broncos observers seemed quite "confident" Saturday and Sunday morning. They deserved to be confident. The Broncos are really good. The Jaguars were really better Sunday.

Richard from Jacksonville

That-was-a-joy-to-watch.

Indeed-it-was.

Tim from Jax

Zone. Great win and I can't help but think that the subtle arrogance of J.P. Shadrick has to be behind some of the confidence shown by these players.

I confess I hadn't considered this until reading your email. Upon reflection, you're almost certainly correct.

Anita from Springfield

How's that * feel ?!?!?!

Winning is cool. Fans like it.

Ed from Ponte Vedra Beach, FL

You mentioned this game was not as important as the 1996 playoff. But what this game meant to me and all I wanted for Christmas was and is that the Jaguars are solid real. Non-believers are now believers. Thank you, Santa.

I don't remember mentioning this because I don't remember thinking about this game in terms of how it related in importance to that '96 playoff game. It wasn't, in fact, as important as that game because this wasn't a win-or-go-home game – and every playoff game is win or go home. But it was important. Damned important.

Brian from Wheeling

Them boys sure know how to ball down in Duval!!!

Yup.

Scott from Columbus

The most impressive part of that is it was tied in the third quarter and the Jags still won by 2 touchdowns against the No. 1 team in the AFC entering Sunday. And at no point did the Jags' lead feel flukey. Impressive stuff.

The Jaguars' victory Sunday from this view is the most impressive regular-season victory in franchise history. They beat the team with the AFC's best record on the road in a meaningful December game. This doesn't mean this is the best team in franchise history. Or that Sunday was the most important victory in franchise history. It means it was the most impressive regular-season victory in franchise history.

Travis from High Springs

Should Trevor Lawrence be in the MVP conversation?

Lawrence is playing as well as any quarterback in the NFL right now – and right now is the most important part of the season. I don't know that Lawrence is the NFL's Most Valuable Player. I know he belongs in the discussion.

Bobby from Summerville

Hi, John. Looks like the Jags have officially put the league on notice. The media will still only talk about the Texans because of their dominating victory at home against such a good Raiders team.

Bobby's got jokes.

Big on Blake from Philly

Zone. How when the Jags put up 34 points on one of the NFL's best defenses does Eric Edholm state the Jags "can hang with almost anyone?" First of all, I didn't realize dominating teams was "hanging" with anyone. And second, what does he mean by almost? I really thought Coach Coen was maybe going to the well too much on the disrespect, but when you have NFL writers handing out compliments like that, I think it's very fitting. Also, one more week closer to the No. 1 seed. Let's see who can hang with that. Go Jags.

It seems NFL.com writer Eric Edholm wrote something that irked someone. I don't know why other people write and do what they say. I know respect and what people write doesn't matter in the NFL. The idea isn't to win respect. The idea is to win games, and to stand on podiums with trophies in January and February. Don't worry about what people read and write about this team. Except if it's me, of course. Then pay very, very close attention and consider yourself blessed.

Steve from St. Johns

I'll be damn.

The Jaguars are good. Really good.

Andy from Halifax

O, tell me what to do. I have no idea how to handle this.

Drink it in. Savor it. Then get ready for the Indianapolis Colts at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis next Sunday. The Jaguars are good. They control their destiny for the AFC South title. But good teams in their situation keep winning. They must keep winning.

Paul from St. Augustine, FL

What a game! Best win of the season so far! I LOVE THIS TEAM!

Winning is cool. Fans like it.

Hill from Chandler, AZ

These announcers put the F in Fox. They said John Hines-Allen. They were the only thing worse than that unnecessary roughness call at the start of the third quarter. What a win. We don't need respect. We'll just keep showing up and taking care of business. That's all that matters, anyway. #DTWD

I guess Sunday's game broadcasters irked someone, too. And the officials are doing some irking, too. The Jaguars are 11-4 and in first place in the AFC South. They beat the AFC's No. 1 seed on the road Sunday in convincing fashion. That's indeed what matters.

Nick from The Commonwealth

RESPECT is spelled J A G U A R S!!! This team is hitting on all cylinders and Trevor is playing MVP-caliber football. The NFL is now put on notice. So now, what is the ceiling of this team?

Silver trophies.